The Adult Learner: Self-Determined, Self-Regulated, and Reflective

Abstract This article refers to the increasing importance of lifelong learning due to changes in the structure of work and society. Learners, teachers and companies need to understand how successful adult learning can look like, which factors of influence exist, and which models are to be applied. As the current academic discussion shows, the area of self-determined and self-regulated learning is becoming increasingly important. Another relevant success factor in this context is the competency to reflect. This article deals with the question of how the three recognized success factors can be linked with each other and brought into line with adult learning. Based on literature review and the author's experience as an adult educator, this article discusses the importance of self-determination, self-regulation and reflection for the successful learning of adults, and highlights the connections between these three influencing factors. The discussion begins with the elaboration of the peculiarities of adult learning in the context of lifelong learning. The three identified influencing factors - self-determination, self-regulation and reflection - are then examined in more detail. These three factors and their influence on adult learning are presented and explained in a basic model. The associated implications for the application in teaching-learning process provide indications for the successful design of learning processes as well as an outlook for future research questions.